Days: February 2023 Discussion Thread

[Contessa Donatella]

Thank you. 

[janea4old]

Cady doesn't seem to want to work in L.A. full time.  She's the artistic director of a theater in New York and is fully committed to that. When she decided to do that, it seemed that Missy Reeves might return to Days eventually on an ongoing basis. (I don't know what's happening with Missy now.)  Cady's LinkedIn profile says she started that at the theater in January 2022. 
Edit to clarify, Missy had come back to Days for an arc at that time.

Cady and Jon Lindstrom (her husband) have residences in New York and Calif.  She can work on Days sometimes because Jon's on GH, but from their instagrams you can see they periodically spend time in New York.  Jon plays two major characters on GH and he's been there for decades, but he's not on contract, so I guess he likes flexibility, too. 

The Cady situation is different from that of Ali Sweeney, but there are some similarities.  Sweeney's focus is that she acts in and produces lots of Hallmark movies, which are usually filmed in Canada. She's willing to stop by Days between movies.

The six-month tape-to-air gap allows for some flexibility for shortterm returns, or if someone has to reschedule their scenes due to COVID exposure, or if they are using a special set for a story arc.

I doubt they could write invested longterm story for Jennifer or Sami - if the characters are in a pairing or pairings because they'd have to write around the actresses' schedules - even with the flexibility of the tape/air gap.  It would make romances seem disjointed. I think they can allow pop-ins if someone's not in a pairing.  But if someone is in a pairing but unavailable, it's hard to give the couple airtime.

They tried to accommodate Chandler working fulltime in Georgia, by arranging for him to tape a Days arc when he had a few days off from work. He said he had a workaround where he sometimes brought work with him to LA - in that he got up very early in the morning and worked remotely from LA on his laptop, and then went to the studio to film all day, but it made for very long days working both jobs. When he did that, it allowed his taping arcs to be a little longer - to squeeze in a few more episodes. But he couldn't work both jobs the same day for extended periods of time.  I'm glad they tried find ways to accommodate Chandler but it still made it difficult to do a full WilSon storyline.

Back to Cady.  I'm glad she's available sometimes, but I just don't know what the show can do with the character of Jennifer in larger storylines.  

Edited February 20, 2023 by janea4old

[Liberty City]

I'd LOVE this, honestly! And I think Mark Valley would have wonderful chemistry with Cady McClain; if they didn't want him back as Jack, he could be a potential Mike Horton recast, too!

[KLN]

Same.

They've done a lot of damage to Jack with the Abby vs. Gwen stuff (though I love Gwen when she's unapologetically nasty) and I think Valley would be kind of a refresh of the character.

I agree he'd have chemistry with Cady. He'd have chemistry with everyone, really. He was always a charismatic actor.

I know Matt's most notable in the role but Mark's always been "my" Jack. It's his Jack who has history with Peter too so it'd be beneficial if they decided to bring him back.

...and they should. It's a shame to waste a ripe villain.

Edited February 20, 2023 by KLN

[Liberty City]

Cady McClain has always stated she's open to playing when they need her to. Daytime has not always been kind to McClain, either, but her experience at Days of Our Lives seems to be a positive one for her. And, she told TV Fanatic she did a lot of research when she first stepped into the role, so she took it seriously.

And Melissa Reeves' arc around that time was filmed six-months prior to January 2022. But, at that point, McClain was already released from the role. I don't think Ken Corday thought McClain would be as well-received in the role as she was, and I know Ron Carlivati has continued to joke about "two Jennifers" and swapping out both McClain & Reeves, depending on availability.

But Reeves seems content on remaining in Tennessee with her family at this point.

Based on scenes I've watched on YouTube, I adore Valley's take on Jack, and would warmly welcome him back to the role! But, at this point, I don't think Carlivati has an investment in Jack & Jennifer, so I'm okay with Matthew Ashford & McClain popping in every now and again.

Casting McClain as Jennifer missed the opportunity to return the role of Peter Blake. And, if Jason Brooks is unavailable, I've always suggested William deVry for a Peter recast!

[KLN]

William DeVry would be great!

In my head I see Peter Hermann or Tuc Watkins.

Edited February 20, 2023 by KLN

[Joseph]

Actually I Looked it up just yesterday she stepped into the role on October 20, the only inconvenience is that the she was the one that got the fall out of Jack Sleeping With Kate, Nothing against Cady but I Really would've preferred Seeing Missy Play that! @Tonksadora

[janea4old]

Cady guested in the Law&Order SVU episode that aired Feb. 16. (SVU is filmed in New York.)

Cady just did an interview about her SVU eppy, her current arc on DAYS, and her work at the theater in New York.
https://www.givememyremote.com/remote/2023/02/15/law-order-svu-dutch-tears-cady-mcclain-days-of-our-lives-return/ 

 

[Contessa Donatella]

Well, personally I can't see Peter Hermann but yes yes yes to either Tuc Watkins or to Wm. DeVry!!! And, I think Cady can be taken at her word at being available when & if DOOL needs her. And, I know she has other irons in the fire. She's really a daytime girl, traditionally, after Dixie on AMC & Rosanna on ATWT, it's in her blood. 

@JosephI know some people have missed Missy. I just haven't had the experience myself. 

@janea4oldThanks for looking things up, as always! 

Edited February 20, 2023 by Tonksadora
more info

[Soapsuds]

A big No to Tuc Watkins as Peter.

[Contessa Donatella]

OOPS! Do you have a personal history?!!! 🫵🫰

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[Joseph]

I just wanted to give you the right date, I don't think I missed Missy especially since I wasn't watching much of the show then, it's just that I would've liked To see her Jennifer loose her temper a bit, Missy's Jennifer is always so sedate, it takes a real lot to piss that Woman!

[Soapsuds]

I couldn't stand him on OLTL. I haven't cared for any of his work.

[Contessa Donatella]

Fair enough. His personality is strong enough to provoke different reactions! Although, darnit, a personal history would have been so much more wicked. 

[Soapsuds]

I doubt he'd be available anyways because his show uncoupled was picked up for a second season by Showtime after being cancelled by Netflix.